Smoke & ire
A tennis player was forced out of Australian Open qualifying on Tuesday after being brought to her knees by smoky conditions from the catastrophic bushfires still devastating Australia.
Slovenian Dalila Jakupovic was about to play a crucial point in her qualifying match when an uncontrollable coughing spree made her drop down at the back of the court in Melbourne Park.
In tears and seemingly struggling to breathe, the 28-year-old player was finally helped up and back to a seat — but was unable to continue in the competition, saying she was “really scared” of the conditions.
“We are all pissed and a bit disappointed because we thought they would take better care of us,” Jakupovic told CNN.
“I just couldn’t breathe,” she said. “I had a panic attack because I couldn’t get air … It was one of my hardest matches.”
Practice sessions also had to be temporarily suspended Tuesday because of the poor air quality, and at least one other player — former Wimbledon semifinalist Eugenie Bouchard — needed medical help.
Air quality in the state was deemed “hazardous,” with the Environment Protection Authority advising people to stay inside away from smoke.
Jakupovic — who was leading her firstround qualifying match when she collapsed — complained that it was “not fair” that they were being made to play in such poor conditions.
“I was really scared that I would collapse,” she told the Associated Press. “I don’t have asthma and never had breathing problems. I actually like heat.”
She initially tried to press on after a trainer helped her, but “couldn’t breathe anymore” and “just fell on the floor,” she said.
“It’s not healthy for us. I was surprised. I thought we would not be playing today but we don’t have much choice.”